Who founded The Wingman Foundation (TWF)?
Our founders and Board of Directors are as follows:
Jack Guevara: Jack served in the Marine Corps as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot, Aviation Safety Officer, and Weapons & Tactics Instructor. In addition to being on TWF’s Board of Directors, Jack is TWF’s Executive Director. He continues to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves as a Cobra pilot.
Phil Duong: Phil served in the Marine Corps as a CH-46E and MV-22B pilot, as well as a foreign military advisor and JTAC. He now supports and guides the foundation as a member of our Board of Directors.
Ken Hampshire: Ken served in the Marine Corps as a UH-1N and UH-1Y Huey utility helicopter pilot and Weapons & Tactics Instructor. He now supports and guides Wingman as a member of our Board of Directors.
Why was TWF founded?
The Wingman Foundation was founded by three Active Duty Marine Corps aviators in late 2014. Each served nearly a decade with multiple deployments, and they saw many tragic losses in the aviation community. On October 1st, 2014, a MV-22 crew chief died in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Deeply affected by yet another loss to the community, they agreed to make a change that evening. The government’s ability to provide assistance following a mishap is finite and may not encompass all of the needs the family and squadron has in the aftermath of such a tragic event. TWF endeavors to fill that gap and lessen the burden on our Gold Star families both immediately following, and sometimes long after a mishap occurs.
What is the eligibility criteria for TWF support?
TWF is a post-9/11 support organization, providing support to Navy and Marine Corps aviation families and squadrons affected by mishaps that occurred after September 11, 2001.
Does TWF have any paid staff?
No. TWF operates 100% on the dedication and commitment of many hard-working volunteers.
How many volunteers does TWF have?
TWF’s active volunteer volumes vary throughout the year in order to support certain Enduring Events or program-related activities. TWF volunteers are comprised of veterans, military spouses, Gold Star wives, and civilians. Core operations volunteers total 12, with 4 of these volunteers supporting mishap response directly. The Mishap Response Team is a small subset of TWF volunteers who are trained and approved to interact directly with the squadrons and families. TWF also has a Gold Star Advisor volunteer who assists in preparing the mishap response team for family interactions and is also available as a resource to our Gold Star families when needed.
How many mishaps has TWF supported since its founding?
TWF has supported 26 mishaps since its founding in late 2014, with the most recent occurring in March 2022.
Where do the funds to support families and squadrons post-mishap come from?
Fundraising specifically for the families and squadron(s) affected by the mishap is initiated immediately post-mishap, once approvals to raise money on behalf of the family and squadron(s) are obtained. The Naval and Marine Corps Aviation and Veterans community is extremely supportive of our mission and the donations of our many supporters make it all happen. TWF covers all fees related to post-mishap fundraising, ensuring 100% of donations go back to our Gold Star families.
Does TWF only provide funds to support the squadron and families immediately following a mishap?
No. TWF can also help with the logistical support of travel and lodging bookings and directly pay vendors for family-requested services when needed.
For funds raised, how is the money distributed between the family or families and squadron?
Every mishap is different, but the families drive how the money is distributed in most instances. Each family’s needs and wishes differ, and we strive to keep families involved throughout the process so they have insight and, when necessary, approve certain expenses or reimbursements. The vast majority of mishap support is through funding or reimbursing family (including extended family) for travel and lodging expenses. Those requests for reimbursement come directly from our Gold Star families.
For mishaps involving multiple aircrew and families, we strive to provide the same level of assistance to all families, but again, each family’s needs and requests vary.
For squadron support, the most typical expense is a contribution towards the cost of food for the squadron-organized memorial service. For other types of squadron support, we strive to confirm requests are driven by the family (in most instances).
How does TWF receive notice of mishaps?
TWF does not have a method or communication channel to receive notice prior to the information being made public, so our preparations for support begin when the first news story or Navy/Marine Corps press release breaks.
Following a mishap, how does TWF get in contact with the squadrons and affected families?
Through our Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, and Volunteers’ vast network in the aviation community, we are typically able to identify the squadron or unit commanding officer’s contact information rather quickly. Initial communication is sent to that contact providing an offer of assistance and a high-level summary of the assistance TWF can provide. In initial contact, TWF also requests approval to begin fundraising on behalf of the Gold Star Families and squadron(s) involved. We strive to make family or squadron contact within 72 hours of a mishap.
Regarding family contact, TWF will usually work with the families through a squadron intermediary, such as the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), although in some cases the family will be put in direct contact with us at their request. As awareness of TWF grows, we are also starting to experience Gold Star families reaching out to us directly in the days following a mishap.
What other types of support does Wingman provide?
TWF is committed to supporting Gold Star families into perpetuity, which includes:
Organizing Enduring Events
Providing travel assistance and free registration for any Enduring Events to Gold Star families
Funding for physical memorials
Funding of scholarships honoring fallen air warriors
Memorial Patch Program: Gold Star families and squadrons receive a patch at no charge. A patch is also sold to the public, and all proceeds from sales go back to support the Gold Star family.
How does TWF fund its other programs (Enduring Events, Scholarships, and Physical Memorials, Memorial Patch Program)?
All funds raised that are not specific to a mishap are held in our General Fund, which is used to fund all of our other programs and non-program costs. Sources of those funds include:
Non-mishap related donations TWF receives throughout the year
Enduring Event-specific donations that TWF seeks out
Merchandise sales
Enduring Event registration fees (Gold Star Families always receive registration at no charge)
In addition, it is important to note TWF has incredible partners who help support our programs at little or no cost to TWF, by providing goods or services at a discounted rate or at no charge. A perfect example of this is our Memorial Patch Program Partner, Marine Patches, who designs and produces patches for the squadron, families, and TWF at no charge.
What are “non-program costs”?
TWF strives for its non-program costs to not exceed 10% annually. Examples of these costs include:
Volunteer travel to select events (e.g., events like airshows where merchandise is sold are considered non-program)
Registration/table fees for select event attendance (e.g., airshows where merchandise is sold)
Merchandise and shipping costs (sales proceeds from merchandise replenish the General Fund and offset a significant portion of merchandise production costs)
Select vendor costs (fundraising software, event management software, accounting software, annual tax preparation, etc.)
Non-program costs are covered by the general fund, and are never funded from mishap-related fundraising.
How does TWF select aviators and aircrew to be honored by TWF funded scholarships?
There is no formal vetting or approval process for scholarship honorees at this time. Existing scholarships have been either requested by Gold Star families or selected by TWF from the far-too-long list of Navy and Marine Corps air warriors we have lost since TWF’s founding.
TWF aims to grow its scholarship funding program with a goal of 20 funded and revolving honoree scholarships by 2020. Note that TWF does not administer or maintain scholarships. TWF solely funds scholarships that are administered by other organizations or individuals.
What is the amount of the scholarships funded by TWF?
Each scholarship varies from a $1,500 award to $5,000.
How does TWF select or approve support of Physical Memorials?
TWF both initiates the funding of physical memorials (such as memorial plaques at existing veteran’s memorials parks and sites) and also receives requests for memorial funding from Gold Star families or other veteran’s organizations. TWF’s Director of Operations and Executive Director review and approve all substantial requests for memorial support. (These requests are typically for large-scale projects intended to honor and memorialize many fallen aviators and aircrew.)
What is the TWF Endurance Team and its purpose?
The TWF Endurance Team is a group of athletes who through participation in many elite athletic events and competitions help to raise awareness for the foundation, honor the sacrifices of our fallen air warriors, and support the families they’ve left behind. Many of the athletes are Navy and Marine Corps aviation veterans, and TWF’s cause is very near and dear to them.